The sign declared, “Stand with Israel” and urged viewers to sign a pro-Israel pledge sponsored by Christians United for Israel (CUFI), one of the nation’s largest pro-Israel groups.

“The sign was either cut off either by scissors or with a sharp object and then it was pulled off,” said Deputy Daniel Acosta who was dispatched to the location Monday morning.

Luna County Sheriff Raymond Cobos called the incident an “odd anomaly” and said he had “never heard anybody express anything anti-Israel or anti-Jewish” during his time on the force.

“It’s odd, very odd,” he told the Free Beacon, attributing the vandalism to “borderline morons who have no connection with the real world.”

Executive Director of Christians United for Israel, David, Brog told the Free Beacon that he believes the perpetrator is “someone who didn’t like our message of solidarity with Israel. It was basically a non-offensive message, but our detractors apparently couldn’t handle it.”

Brog said that CUFI supporters in New Mexico are already raising funds to replace the damaged billboard. He also noted that anti-Israel activists are moving away from civil debate and towards incivility.

“Unfortunately,” he said, “we see among some in the anti-Israel camp a desire to shrink from reasonable debate and more towards vandalism in this case.”

CUFI is staunchly pro-Israel. The organization’s pledge, which appears on its website states, “We believe that the Jewish people have a right to live in their ancient land of Israel, and that the modern State of Israel is the fulfillment of this historic right. We maintain that there is no excuse for acts of terrorism against Israel and that Israel has the same right as ever other nation to defend her citizens from such violent attacks. We pledge to stand with our brother and sisters in Israel and to speak out on their behalf whenever and wherever necessary until the attacks stop and they are finally living in peace and security with their neighbors.”

CUFI was also one of the key players in a campaign to thwart a series of advertisements advocating that the U.S. end military aid to Israel.